Cold steel shovel

They are excellent shovels for sure. I carried one of these in certain parts of Europe several years ago, mainly when making the trek back from the airport to my apartment. Was it legal? Maybe not but it was a little extra security when traveling in a place where guns were not allowed to say the least.

I have used it several times in the woods, great for hacking small limbs and clearing light foliage. It is good for digging small holes and trenches which should come as no surprise! No it is not the best at everything but it's a surprisingly versatile tool, and can be a truly deadly weapon up close. Russian Spetsnaz troops train with these for hand to hand fighting and they even throw them. You are supposed to throw them into the enemies spine region from behind to sever it and kill them, at least that's how they're trained!

I have a soft spot for the Russian trench shovels and have amassed two originals plus my trusty Cold Steel:



It's every bit as good as the originals but with the benefit of coming pre-sharpened. You've got a great little tool in that Cold Steel.

ilbob said:

I don't know if it qualifies as a weapon or not but the thing is pretty darn sturdy and heavy. I had a bunch of credit card points to use up so when a deal came around on Amazon for the shovel and sheath I decided I might as well buy one. It's impressively well-made. you get a solid piece of wood that maybe fourteen inches long attached to a big chunk of Steel. It's it's way too heavy to be useful as a backpacking tool. I think it weighs more than my double-bitted axe but is a Nifty addition to my assortment of stuff.pretty darn sharp too. View attachment 230436 View attachment 230437 View attachment 230438

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The Cold Steel Speznaz shovel is awesome for gardening and digging out tree stumps. When you're not fighting mujahadeen, of course!

I have used mine exclusively digging flower beds and other mundane tasks.These are very handy as gardening tools, and they are strong enough to chop roots. I have one of these in each vehicle. I have buried wheels in muddy roads, and if that happens again, with one of these shovels, I can dig it out.

I purchased a couple of Soviet shovels and I am of the opinion the Cold Steel version will be stronger. Both are of similar heavy gage construction, but on the Soviet shovel, the socket is rolled and tack welded in one spot. The Cold Steel socket is welded completely up the seams, and I am of the opinion this is makes for a stronger socket attachment. These shovels are identical in head dimensions, I am using Cold Steel covers on the Soviet shovels.

I have not purchased a Soviet titanium Spetsnaz shovel, but I think that would be the ultimate backpacking shovel.

I think that the winner of History Channels, "Alone" used one very well during his stay in Patagonia. I have been wanting to pick one up for some time now to throw in my truck.

Funny that this thread was started, I just bought one for the Jeep . I haven't used it yet but it does seem solid and capable for what I intend to use it for.